Serious internet connection problem

[jmebonner]

Hey fellas,

I'm having a serious problem here. I'm at my folks' house and can't connect to the internet for more than 30 seconds or so before getting kicked. I'm typing this on wordpad so I can paste it in during the precious few seconds I have online.
I called TS for their company and they gave me some string to type in the advanced settings, but no workie. I tried a different modem, no workie, tried a different phone line, no workie (are you seeing a pattern? ) It's stinkin' dial up, a dell 2350 2.0 celeron, windoze xp home, a cheapo modem and a lucent wildwire modem.

Any ideas? It doesn't give an error when I get booted, it just counts down until it redials. This is really a pain as we're going to Chicago tomorrow, and my moms really needs to check her email and set her half.com status to vacation.

TIA!

btw, it may be a while b4 I post back b/c of the situaton, so bear with me.

[Mickwish]

Ok, first question, are both modems internal? If so, could be a modem config problem. I had one wouldn't work with NT4 regardless of what I did. Same symptoms. Do the modems have specific XP drivers? If not, find them or get another modem (preferably external - less hassles, IMO).

If it happens and one is external, it's probably an ISP setting somewhere. Possible related to error correction or something, or even login. You'll have to go through all the settings until you hit the one that works. Go through their recommended settings with a fine tooth comb.

Good luck. More information may help us help more.

Cheers
Mick

[OuTpaTienT]

That would be my first guess, error correction. If it's currently on, turn it off. If it's currently off, turn it on.

Might also try limiting your conection speed to 33.6 instead of 56k. Honestly 33.6 is usually not even noticably different than 56k. But it should be a more solid connection and better capable of handling line noise (if maybe that's your issue).

Are your modem's firmware up do date?

Heck, I don't know what else to tell ya, it's been too long since I've messed with a modem. I used to really get into all those dozens of settings that can be done with a modems init string. Yet, oddly enough, I don't miss it a bit. (pun intended)

[jmebonner]

Thanks fellas. This is the first time I've gotten to read the replies as we've been on the road. I did limit the connection speed, but did nothing with the error correction, I'll tell her to try that. I'll have to check on the drivers which is pretty difficult since I can't stay loggeds on there. I'll have to find them and then take them w/ me.

I also tried a generic init string which didn't really seem to help.

Oh well, my cable still works better anyway

[John Prophet]

ok, tne slueth in me needs to know...has this comp been at that location a while or is it new? In other words is this a new problem? My first thought is the quality of the phone lines to the house. I am thinking....try an external modem.

I remember going to a girls house to check out her connection probs...she couldnt connect worth anything...of course the same comp conencted just fine in our store in town..but she lived more out in a rural area.

She had an amr first I think, then a pci softmodem. No go, it wouldnt connect at all or it would say silly stuff like connected at 12k, lol.

I tried an external modem...wham! 56K right away....cured all her other probs too like when she tried to print from the internet etc.

So my guess is try a hardware modem, be it external or internal.

JP